Why am I taller in the morning?
Have you noticed your taller first thing in the morning? Perhaps this natural height hack could finally help you reach your potential...
Have you ever heard that you are taller first thing in the morning?
Or perhaps you can remember measuring yourself against the wall as a kid and noticed something was off one day as you seemingly managed to grow or shrink magically overnight.
Well it is in fact true that we get a little bit taller every night.
Don't get too excited thinking a late growth spurt might be on the cards for you though. All the height we gain overnight, we lose again throughout the day.
So how is this diurnal rhythm of height change possible?
Our spines provide the answer.
Our intervertebral discs are made of rings of cartilage that contain a gel nucleus within its centre. This gel substance is made with a significant proportion of water.
This water is critical to the function of the disc as it helps to pressurise the disc, allowing it to absorb shock and withstand various forces so that we can move and bend our spine in lots of wonderful ways.
The water content of our discs however is not a stable amount. Our discs “leak” water throughout the day and then “refill” overnight. Depending on the time of day, genetics might not be the only explanation for your struggle to reach the top cabinet shelf.
So next time you go trying to blame your parents for your short stature, there is one more person you need to add to your naughty list... Sir Isaac Newton.
Yes, that pesky thing called gravity is limiting your potential! Perhaps if you took a quick trip to space you could gain the inches required to land that hot date...
See, gravity is what gives us our weight. The more gravity pulls you back to earth, the higher the number on the scale while you're standing on it.
This effect also creates a compressive force on our spines as it squishes us down into the earth. During the day, while we are standing and moving around, our intervertebral discs are being squished under this compression. This causes some of the water to be “squeezed” out, leading to our discs (and subsequently, us) losing height.
Another component of the gel substance within our disc's nucleus are proteins referred to as proteoglycans. These proteins are hydrophilic, meaning they love water.
Or in other words, they are chemically attracted to water molecules.
When we lay down overnight the mechanical forces on our spines change. The amount of compressive force that gravity is placing on our spines is reduced. Our spines are able to "decompress".
This decompression allows these proteoglycans to fulfill their deepest desires. They attract water molecules back into the disc, allowing it rehydrate or "refill".
As the discs rehydrate, they swell and gain their height back. So you gradually grow overnight as your discs rehydrate, leading to you being at your tallest first thing in the morning.
Understanding how these discs work is also key to understanding one of the most common causes of back pain. This article breaks down exactly how disc injuries develop.
As a bit of a bonus fact, this is also why we can feel a bit stiff and sore first thing in the morning. It also can explain some of the back pain we experience when we are sick and stuck lying in bed for a few days.
You see, as our discs swell and grow in height, our spine gets longer along its entire length. This causes some tissues like ligaments and tendons that attach to our vertebra, to be pulled a little more taut, giving a feeling of stiffness and reduced flexibility first thing in the morning. You will notice this wears off once you get up and get going. This wearing off occurs as your spine shrinks back down under the compression of gravity.
So should you stretch first thing in the morning? Probably not...
It's probably a good idea to give yourself time to wake up, “shrink” a little and improve your mobility before doing that morning yoga routine. The bending stressors on your spine are much higher first thing in the morning while you're that little bit taller.
Don't think your swollen morning discs or lack of afternoon height are any cause for concern though. Nature made you this way for reason - and she rarely makes mistakes.
Our spines follow a diurnal rhythm just like the rest of our bodily processes do. This hydration cycle in the disc allows for things like nutrient uptake and delivery and helps promote the regeneration and overall health of the disc.
So like everything in life, balance is key. Don't forget, your discs need those 8 hours as well!
Was I able to help you learn something today with this article?
If you found it interesting, please share it with someone you know that will also enjoy it!
And consider subsribing for more plenty more spine and back pain related articles to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are you taller in the morning than at night?
Throughout the day, gravity’s compressive force on your spine squeezes water out of your intervertebral discs, reducing their height. Overnight, when that compressive load is removed as you lie down, proteins in the disc nucleus attract water back in, allowing the discs to rehydrate and swell. This rehydration is why you can be up to 1–2cm taller first thing in the morning.
How much taller are you in the morning?
Most people are approximately 1–2 centimetres taller when they first wake up compared to the end of the day. The exact amount varies based on genetics, how many discs you have, and the degree of daily loading. This difference is lost within the first few hours of being upright as gravity compresses the discs again.
Is it bad to exercise or do yoga first thing in the morning?
It pays to be a little careful. When your discs are fully rehydrated in the morning, your spine is slightly longer than usual — which places more tension on surrounding ligaments and soft tissues and increases the bending stress on your discs during flexion movements. For most people this isn’t a major concern, but those with disc injuries are generally better off allowing some time to “wake up” before performing loaded bending exercises or intense stretching.
Does lying down decompress the spine?
Yes. Lying down significantly reduces the compressive load gravity places on your spine compared to standing or sitting. This is what allows your discs to rehydrate overnight. The change in mechanical environment when you lie down allows the water-attracting proteins (proteoglycans) in the disc nucleus to draw fluid back in — contributing to disc health and nutrient delivery over the course of your lifetime.